Jun 10 2014

Cultural Vigan Kalesa Tour

Posted on June 10, 2014 by olsk_mercado

One of the best parts of our Vigan trip was the Cultural Vigan Kalesa Tour. I had ridden a kalesa once before in San Fernando, Pampanga. This however, was a different experience and definitely more enjoyable!

As part of our stay at Metro Vigan Inn, we would be embarking on a cultural tour of Vigan via a kalesa. Our itinerary included a church, garden, hotel and the famous Calle Crisologo among other sites.

We had a nice driver named JR who explained the different landmarks.

Bantayan Church and Bell Tower

This historic St. Augustine Church or Bantay (means to watch) Parish is known as the Queen of Ilocandia. It has a rich history and beholds the Sanctuary of Nuestra Senora de La Caridad.

The baroque-gothic style church humbled me and gave me another reminder to explore my personal convictions.

The Bell Tower has long been standing as a watchful eye to the folks of Vigan. Upon arriving at the tower the tour guide was very passionate when explaining the history and its origins.

Calle Crisologo

The moment our horse trotted onto the cobblestones we knew we were in the “old” part of town. The Spanish houses and buildings were fading but held an eerie sense of the past. This was where we were able to buy our pasalubong (gifts).

Walking down the street you can imagine the people that used to walk there in their 18th century clothing. There was actually a photo shoot going on of a lady dressed in 18th century attire.

Having these historical landmarks is a reminder of our past and hopefully it will still be standing in the years to come. The Historic Town of Vigan has been preserved well and is now considered part of the World Heritage List.

There are plenty of stores where you can buy shirts, keychains, bags and other novelty items.

We were able to by a t-shirt (Php99) for Bastian, a woven bag (Php50) and coin purse (Php35) for Kianna and the cutest colorful wooden guitar (Php150) for Jael.

Calle Crisologo at night is a wonder to behold. The lights bounce off and create a scene for picture perfect shots.

Hidden Garden & Lilong & Lilang Restaurant

At this point in our trip we were getting used to riding the kalesa and enjoying the ride.

We stopped over at Hidden Garden where we tried their famous empanadas which were huge. I was pretty full by then and could only eat almost half of it. It was different from the empanadas that I had tasted before but it was good.

The owner was very accommodating and greeted us openly and with a smile.

I made a wish before dropping in my coin. I hope it comes true!

Many local celebrities have visited Hidden Garden from movie stars to politicians.

This unique fountain creates bubbles that we found out had a special chemical to kill mosquitoes. You can also buy plants and pottery as souvenirs.

Hotel Salcedo de Vigan

Our next stop was this hotel where we would get to learn how to make Sinanglao, a broth made from beef. It was delicious but oily.

The hotel ballroom has beautiful lighting fixtures and I couldn’t resist capturing it.

Walking to Plaza Salcedo from Hotel Salcedo I caught a glimpse of Plaza Burgos and these wonderful lights.

Plaza Salcedo

We ended our tour with an amazing dancing fountain light show. The show lasts for 30 minutes and plays about 6-8 songs with beautifully choreographed lights. It was a wonderful way to end the night.

Metro Vigan Inn offers 2 kinds of Kalesa Tours.

Culture Vulture Day Tour

A 4-hour city tour for the budget conscious wherein you’ll get to visit historical landmarks and tourist spots.

If you want to tour historic Vigan but are limited in time and budget you can opt for this tour which will include the Bantayan Church and Bell Tower, Burnay Pottery, Hidden Garden, Crisologo Museum, Syquia Mansion and Calle Crisologo.

The Sunset Tour

This upgraded leisurely tour is 6 hours long and includes more places to visit. The upgrade includes Baluarte Zoo, Hotel Luna, Vigan Empanadaan, and Plaza Salcedo.

Rates are at Php700 per person or add Php300 to upgrade to the Sunset Tour.

Getting to Metro Vigan Inn:

Air - Domestic flights leave Manila daily for Laoag City in Ilocos Norte, which is an hour and a half away by land to Vigan. The city can be reached from Laoag City via local bus companies.
By Land - The 408 km stretch from Manila to Vigan City is a comfortable eight-hour ride along the scenic Manila-Ilocos Highway. Many air-conditioned buses ply the Manila-Vigan route regularly.
Getting Around - The best way to explore Vigan is on foot; the town center is small and compact, yet full of excitement.

Address: Bayubay Norte, San Vicente, Metro Vigan
Telephone: (077) 674-0448
Mobile: (0917) 824-3800 / (0917) 824-4800
Email: [email protected]

For more details abut Metro Vigan Inn visit their website and Facebook page.

Jun 9 2014

New Greenhills Dolby Atmos Cinemas

Posted on June 9, 2014 by olsk_mercado

Now that Jael is older and can watch movies in the theatres, we’re sure to watch more movies in the cinemas and we’re excited to try the different ones out there.

Have you tried the new Greenhills Dolby Atmos Cinemas yet? We’ve been hearing good things about it and it’s also perfect because right after we can check out the bazaars there!

Press Release

New Promenade Cinemas offer art, comfort, luxury and Dolby Atmos, the latest in movie sound technology

It’s the new world of sound that let’s you “hear the whole picture”.

Dolby Atmos is the revolutionary sound technology that is the current world class standard of sound technology. It debuted in the Philippines at the Greenhills Cinemas 6, 7 and 8 at the new Promenade, Greenhills Shopping Center on July 11, 2013.

What makes Dolby Atmos so special? It is state of the art sound technology that brings the movie’s sound come to life, making you feel as if you are part of the picture, in the middle of the action, hearing the sounds from where they are actually coming from.

Technically, Atmos is a positional sound system, with many more channels of audio than a typical surround sound system. It enables the aural tracking of objects in a 3D space, to create a more lifelike sound. Instead of thinking of sound in terms of channels, the technology allows sound editors to work with object-oriented sound instead. Using a computer algorithm, Atmos can drive audio across the hall, splitting it across multiple speakers to accomplish a positional effect.

Traditional sound technology has the sounds coming from in front of or behind the audience, from either side, or from above. With Atmos, the sound comes from anywhere and everywhere. The technology uses a computerised algorithm to tweak the sound output based on the number of installed speakers, so sound editors can designate where in the cinema space each sound should be coming from, instead of having to consider speaker numbers and placement.

In short, Dolby Atmos delivers a powerful and dramatic new cinema sound listening experience. It allows sound to move around the theater to create dynamic effects. It reproduces a natural and lifelike audio experience that perfectly matches the story. Its overhead speakers create the most realistic effects you’ve ever heard. And up to 64 speakers total placed all around the theater heighten the realism and impact of every scene.

Major movies such as Brave, The Life of Pi, Star Trek: Into Darkness, Pacific Rim, Gravity, Thor : The Dark World, Elysium, The Hunger Games: Catching Fire, 300: Rise of An Empire, Captain America : The Winter Soldier, Transcendence, The Amazing Spiderman 2, Godzilla, Meleficent, and now, Edge of Tomorrow were made in Dolby Atmos.

How To Train Your Dragon 2, Transformers : Age of Extinction, Dawn of the Planet of the Apes, Guardians of the Galaxy, The Expendables 3 and The Avengers : Age of Ultron are the upcoming movies in Dolby Atmos. And Greenhills Cinemas 6, 7 and 8 – all equipped with Dolby Atmos and fitted with wall-to-wall, floor-to-ceiling screens — enhance the viewing experience of these blockbuster movies best.

Greenhills Cinema general manager Paolo Mendoza says putting up one Dolby Atmos theater is like putting up three regular theaters in terms of cost and equipment. “You need to invest in a CP850, which is the latest processor used by Dolby as well as special Perlux screens. The new Promenade screens are also bigger — floor to ceiling in heght and spread side to side – in essence, a mini Imax,” he explained.

To date, there are 150 countries that enjoy the revolutionary Dolby Atmos technology all over the world and Greenhills Cinema is the first in the Philippines to offer it in Promenade Cinema 6, 7 and 8 — the most number of Dolby Atmos theaters in one structure in the whole of Asia.

Besides the Dolby Atmos technology that has revolutionized the movie viewing experience, the new Greenhills Cinemas at the Promenade are made special by luxurious appointments. A large-sized mural fashioned from metal by National Artist for the Visual Arts Benedicto Cabrera (Bencab) entitled 8 Movements greets moviegoers as they get off from the escalator, giving one a sense of the grandeur of well-appointed cinema houses of the 50s and 60s. Towering palm trees, mood lighting, and wrap-around giant posters of Oscar Best Pictures adorn the lobby. Even the rest rooms are hotel-like in their luxury.

“We wanted to bring back some of the elegance of movie theaters during the grand old days of cinema when movie houses were stand-alone and had murals and art pieces for décor. Moviegoers then surely had a grand feeling when going to the movies. This is the reason why we brought the finest art into the new thdeaters at the Promenade and why the three new cinemas are fitted with state of the art Dolby Atmos technology. We hope in the near future more cinemas will follow suit to give movie goers the wonderful experience of watching movies in the best way they can,” said Precy Florentino, president of the Music Museum Group, Inc.which runs Greenhills Cinemas.

Present-day moviegoers never had it this good!

Jun 9 2014

Keep Calm and Watch Movies

Posted on June 9, 2014 by olsk_mercado

I remember when I used to watch movies to escape. I wasn’t escaping anything violent or sad but it was a door to another more eventful world. It was where all the possibilities were endless and all dreams came true.

I’ve been watching movies since I was a little girl and the movie that I remember that stood out for me was The Neverending Story. Today, there will probably be very few people who know that movie and if some have watched it might probably be unimpressed.

It is however, the movie that made me feel like I could soar through the sky just like Bastian did on Falkor. It’s where right was always right and wrong was wrong.

There was a point where I was so enamored with movies that I would watch at least 3 a day. Believe you me, the local video store was making money off me and my addiction.

During the days of my movie laden life I favored films that were full of meaning and life. The what if’s, could have been’s and the maybe’s. This was before I was married and when I was looking for a meaning to my own life. I imagined exploring the deepest recesses of the earth and traveling off to the farthest lands. I always seemed to equate myself with the characters in the movies and left the theater feeling that a little bit of them seemingly attached to me.

Today movies are purely for enjoyment and not necessary riddles to the answers I was trying to search for in my life. My family and I enjoy different movies especially ones that make us laugh and ones that make us scream.

We recently brought our youngest to watch The Amazing Spiderman 2 and he was in awe of the huge screen before us. He asked if we could buy a TV that big for our home. We doubled over in laughter.

My friend, Jenan and I love to catch our favorite book to movies together. We troll the local cinema sites for the schedules and are ecstatic when we see that a much awaited movie finally has a schedule.

There’s an easier way now though to watch out for movies we’re waiting for with the GMovies app. It’s so accessible whether it be on your iPhone or Android phone. It can show you the movies that are now showing to ones that’ll be coming soon.

Need to decide what cinema is showing what at what time? No problem with GMovies as it lets you search for a particular cinema or can even tell you what cinemas are nearby your location. You can even see the cost of the ticket.

Click on a movie and you can see what the rating and synopsis is. Want to let your friends know abut a movie? A Share option is provided where you can share to Facebook, Twitter or through email.

See a movie you do like and want to buy tickets? You can do that on your phone, too. With all the apps currently out there, it’s great that there’s an app specifically made for us and for our convenience.

What movie made YOU fall in love with watching movies? Let me know in the comments below!

This free movie app is powered by Globe Telecom.

Learn more on Facebook page.

Download Free for iOS or Android.

Jun 5 2014

Ilocano Dishes: Metro Vigan Cafe

Posted on June 5, 2014 by olsk_mercado

Our Vigan experience wouldn’t be complete without a taste of their Ilocano dishes. My husband, Oliver and I took a trip with a group of bloggers headed by Powercom to Metro Vigan Inn and Cafe where we were invited to try their lodging and food.

As explained by our guide, Gary during our food tour, Ilocanos favor salty food and that is apparent in their delicacies. Apart from our fabulous stay at Metro Vigan Inn (read more about that here) we were also delighted to be among the first to dine at their newly opened Metro Vigan Cafe.

After arriving at the inn, we bloggers were treated to a snack of Bagnet Burgers. You heard correctly, burgers with bagnet. Simply put, it was delicious.

We were welcomed by Villie, the inn’s manager and staff of the inn. He gave a little background abut the inn and the cafe.

The sumptuous menu of the Metro Vigan Cafe are courtesy of Chef Raymond who has come up with his own take of Ilocandia cuisine.

We knew we were in for a couple of days that would have us tasting the various dishes on their menu and food tasting during the tour. It was to be more than we expected!

Metro Vigan Cafe has traditional and modern Ilocano dishes. They offer Asian Ilocandian cuisine at affordable prices and generous servings.

Feast your eyes on the dishes we were able to try.

Appetizers

Spring Roll Longganisa (Php128)

This was one of my favorites because I love spring rolls but the longganisa makes it even better. I wasn’t too keen on the sauce that came with it. For me the longganisa on its own was already delicious.

Poki Poki (P128)

I know it’s a funny sounding name but it’s actually a unique Ilocano dish. It’s very appealing and once served you have to mix it so that you can mix the scrambled egg and eggplant.

Sisig Crispy Bagnet (Php148)

The usual sisig has bits of a pig’s ears, face and liver. I’m not a a big fan of sisig but I did like this because it had my favorite bagnet. It’s also topped with mayo. Yum!

Soups

Sinanglao (Php188)

Similar to Nilaga in taste. It wasn’t one of the dishes that impressed me. The pork however was tender as it was in all their dishes.

Bulalo (Php288)

The beef was cooked to perfection and very rich in flavor. This was one of Oliver’s favorites. It’s also plentiful in vegetables.

Entree

Kare Kare Bagnet (Php258)

I love Kare Kare and this is alright but the sauce could have been less clumpy. It does make up for it though with the delicious bagnet. As you can tell bagnet is their secret ingredient.

Kalderetang Pato (Php228)

I love Kaldereta especially Oliver’s Kaldereta. For those of you that don’t know, pato is duck. Oliver found the dish a bit fishy in taste though.

Crispy Bagnet (P258)

This was my other favorite. I loooved this and practically finished it. I’m so thankful that I had my gallbladder removed so I can enjoy this.

Pinaputok na Tilapia (P158)

The tilapia was covered in tomates and steamed together and wrapped in banana leaves to seal in the juices.

Crispy Pata (P458)

I think anything fried is a plus for me. I also liked this but it’s not as good as the bagnet!

Metro Vigan Chicken (Whole Php388/ Half Php188)

Oliver and I liked the fried chicken. It was already good without the sauce.

Hito at Talong (P198)

I’m the kind of person that likes my food to look pretty and this… wasn’t. (Sorry!) However, I was there to try Ilocandia and I made sure to try everything. Oliver liked this dish. I found it alright but not one I would choose to eat again. (Hito is eel.)

Steamed Malaga (Php300)

This is a classic Ilocano fish that’s steamed with tomatoes, onion and ginger.

Vegetables

Pinakbet na Bagnet (Php198)

This was another of Oliver’s favorites and I have to say also one of my top choices. The bagnet and the squash and vegetables…was delicious!

Chopsuey (Php 168)

There was a bit of a twist to the Ilocano version of Chopsuey. The sauce is very starchy giving it that milky look and the vegetables were cooked just right.

Rice and Noodles

Metro Vigan Pancit Canton (Small Php98 / Medium Php168 / Large Php208 / Extra Large Php298)

This was also alright for me but it wasn’t particularly anything special.

Metro Vigan Fried Rice (Small Php98 / Medium Php168 / Large Php208)

I couldn’t help but keep getting more servings of this fried rice. I like fried rice in general and the chorizo was just yummy.

Dessert

The dessert offerings are simple and in keeping with the traditional dishes.

We were served watermelon of a different variety and buko pandan.

If you want to try something unique try the Ilocano Tinubong. An interesting mixture of glutinous flour, sugar, coconut milk, strips of coconut, cheese and margarine that’s inserted into a tube which is then cooked in ovens or over charcoal.

Watermelon

Buko Pandan (Php48)

Tinubong

Oliver recommends the Bulalo & Pinakbet Bagnet while I favor the Spring Roll Longganisa & Crispy Bagnet.

You’ll be sure to find a dish you like and enjoy the different Ilocano dishes that Metro Vigan cafe has to offer.

My fellow bloggers and the bounty of food!

Getting to Metro Vigan Inn:

Address: Bayubay Norte, San Vicente, Metro Vigan
Telephone: (077) 674-0448
Mobile: (0917) 824-3800 / (0917) 824-4800
Email: [email protected]

For more details abut Metro Vigan Inn visit their website and Facebook page.

Jun 2 2014

Vigan: Metro Vigan Inn

Posted on June 2, 2014 by olsk_mercado

It’s so amazing that I was given the opportunity and experience to visit Vigan, Ilocos Sur. My husband and I had been planning a trip for just the two of us for a few months now for our 15th wedding anniversary. However, despite our planning, our scheduled trips just kept falling through.

When I was invited to join a group of bloggers to visit and stay at Metro Vigan Inn it seemed like that phrase “When a door closes another one opens.” came true. What made it special for me was that I would get to bring my husband along on this sponsored trip headed by the Powercom team.

My wanderlust heart would often have me traveling in my dreams and as much as I want to explore travelling it’s not easy to when you have plenty of responsibilities. Not that, I regret anything and to be honest I don’t feel too much disappointment when it comes to that but honestly, I felt like someone up there was saying… “Let’s give them a free trip. They deserve it!”

The only other vacation worthy place that I’ve been to is Baguio. Ilocos Sur seemed like a whole new world to me.

We were in for a jam-packed 2 days and we were very much excited. Our itinerary included a kalesa tour, food tripping and food tasting at Metro Vigan Cafe.

The trip was 10 hours give or take. It can be done in 8 but we were a pretty large group so we had a few stop overs. As you can see the view was gorgeous. These shots were taken en route to Vigan.

Metro Vigan Inn is perfect for those who want to take a trip to picturesque Vigan but are on a budget.

The inn has 21 rooms of which you’ll surely find the perfect room for you and your companions. They also have a cafe that just recently opened and we were looking forward to trying their Asian Ilocandian dishes.

I’m so thankful to Metro Vigan Inn and Powercom for giving us a room of our own. We definitely felt like we were on our honeymoon.

As I said, this was our first trip away together and this made it all the more special. We were given a Standard Double Room located behind the inn.

As you can see for a budget hotel the room was quite spacious. All the necessary amenities were provided.

In fact, all rooms are fully air conditioned, have running hot and cold water, and LED cable TV.

The provided closet has a lock on it so you can keep your belongings safe while you’re out. The TV is a respectable size with Skycable TV channels.

I’m a stickler for public bathrooms and upon inspection this passed my test.

It was clean, organized and had complimentary hand soap and tissue. Being a budget hotel, you’ll need to bring your own toiletries such as soap, shampoo, etc. They provide 4 towels in all.